{"id":3732,"date":"2013-07-13T01:50:47","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=3732"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:50:47","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:50:47","slug":"10-the-secure-foundation-of-sadhana-vol-04-fourth-series-1951","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/02-other-editions\/letters-of-sri-aurobindo\/04-fourth-series-1951\/10-the-secure-foundation-of-sadhana-vol-04-fourth-series-1951","title":{"rendered":"-10_THE SECURE FOUNDATION OF SADHANA.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

\nSECTION SIX<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHE SECURE FOUNDATION OF <\/font><\/p>\n

\nSADHANA <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n
\nThe First Foundation of the Yogic Status<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nEQUANIMITY and peace in all conditions, in all  parts of the being is the first foundation of the
\nYogic status. Either Light (bringing with it Knowledge) or Force (bringing strength and dynamism of
\nmany kinds) or Ananda (bringing love and joy of
\nexistence) can come next according to the trend of
\nthe nature. But peace is the first condition without
\nwhich nothing else can be stable. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n31-7-1936<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>The True Basis<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYES, a settled peace and strength supporting the
\nintensity and poise in which everything foreign falls off, is the true basis.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n16-4-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-147 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n<\/a>The Abiding Stuff<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHAT is of course how it should be. It should go so
\nfar indeed that you will feel this peace and vastness as your very self, the
\nabiding stuff of your consciousness \u2014unchangeably there.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n26-9-1934<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>The Inner Foundation<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHAT is the right way\u2014to keep the peace of the
\nhigher consciousness; then even if there is vital
\ndisturbance, it will only be on the surface. The
\nfoundation will remain till the Force can release the
\ntrue vital.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n30.10-1933<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-148 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n<\/a>The Settled Calm Within<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIT is very good indeed. The peace and silence
\nmust settle deep in, so deep that whatever comes  from outside can only pass over the surface without
\ntroubling the settled calm within. It is good also
\nthat the meditation comes of itself\u2014it means that
\nthe Yoga Force is beginning to take up the
\nsadhana.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n18-9-1934<\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/a>The Inner Stability of Peace<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIT (peace) has to be brought down to the heart and
\nnavel first. That gives it a certain kind of inner
\nstability\u2014though not absolute. There is no method
\nother than aspiration, a strong quiet will and a
\nrejection of all that is not turned towards the Divine
\nin those parts into which you call the peace\u2014here
\nthe emotional and higher vital. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n31-7-1933<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Peace and Equality<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nWHEN the peace of the higher consciousness
\ndescends, it brings always with it this tendency
\ntowards equality, samatā,<\/i> because without samatā<\/i> peace is always liable to be attacked by the waves
\nof the lower nature.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n31-10-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-149 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>Calm in the Outward Consciousness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou have attained the silent inner consciousness,
\nbut that can be covered over by disturbance\u2014the
\nnext step is for calm and silence to be established as the basis in the more and
\nmore outward consciousness …. Then the play of the ordinary forces
\nwill be only on the surface and can be more easily
\ndealt with.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n7-6-1933<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>The First Need<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHE first thing is to bring down the higher peace
\nand silence into the outer being, so that it will
\nno longer insist on its own way of doing things.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n22-9-1934 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-150 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>The Most Needed Thing<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHE one thing that is most needed for this sadhana is peace, calm, especially in the vital\u2014a peace
\nwhich depends not on circumstances or surroundings but on the inner contact with
\na higher consciousness which is the consciousness of the Divine,
\nof the Mother. Those who have not that or do not aspire to get it can come here
\nand live in the Ashram
\nfor ten or twenty years and yet be as restless and
\nfull of struggle as ever,\u2014those who open their mind
\nand vital to the Mother’s strength and peace get
\nit even in the hardest and most unpleasant work
\nand the worst circumstances.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nOctober 1933<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>The True Quiet<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou should realise that while quiet surroundings
\nare desirable, the true quiet is within and no other
\nwill give the condition you want.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n18-4-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-151 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n<\/a>Quiet\u2014Calm\u2014Peace\u2014Silence<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nQUIET is rather negative\u2014it is the absence of
\ndisturbance. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nCalm is a positive tranquillity which can exist
\nin spite of superficial disturbances. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPeace is a calm deepened into something that
\nis very positive amounting almost to a tranquil
\nwaveless Ananda. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nSilence is the absence of all motion of thought or
\nother vibration of activity.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n3-11-1933<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Tranquillity and Silence<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHESE are general words, of a general, not a special
\nYogic significance. Quiet, calm and peace can
\n<\/b>all <\/b>be described as tranquillity: silence is akin to what
\nis meant by stillness.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n4-11-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-152 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n<\/a>Silence in the Head<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHAT is the right thing to do. If that poise, vacancy, silence in the head is once made permanent, a
\ngreat step will have been gained.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n12-5-1937<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Void<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHERE is no such thing as n\u00e9ant.<\/i> By "void" is meant emptiness clear of all contents except existence
\npure and simple. Without that one cannot realise
\nthe Silent Brahman.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n15-3-1937<\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Use of Emptiness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo be an empty vessel is a very good thing if one
\nknows how to make use of the emptiness.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n1-3-1937 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-153 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n<\/a>Usual Result of Voidness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHE usual result of voidness is to quiet down any  vital disturbance although it does not, unless it
\nis complete, stop the mechanical recurrent action  of the mind.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/i>17-1-1937 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Proper Sequel of Emptiness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIF it is a real emptiness, one can rest in it for years
\ntogether,\u2014it is because the vital is restless and full
\nof desires (not empty) that it is like that. Also the physical mind is by no
\nmeans at rest. If the desires
\nwere thrown out and the ego less active and the physical mind at rest, knowledge
\nwould come from
\nabove in place of the physical mind’s stupidities,
\nthe vital mind could be calm and quiet and the
\nMother’s Force take up the action and the higher
\nconsciousness begin to come down. That is the
\nproper sequel of emptiness.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n17-3-1937 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-154 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>Vital Mind’s Distaste for Silence and Emptiness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nSILENCE of the being is the first natural aim of the 
\nYoga. A and some others do not find satisfaction
\nin it because they have not overcome the vital
\nmind which wants always some kind of activity, change, doing something,
\nsomething to happen.
\nThe eternal immobility of the silent Brahman is a thing it does not relish. So
\nwhen emptiness comes,
\nit finds it dull, inert, monotonous.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n13-3-1937 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Void and Happiness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHERE is no reason why the void should be a dull
\nor unhappy condition. <\/b> It is usually the habit of the
\nmind and vital to associate happiness or interest only with activity, but the
\nspiritual consciousness has no such limitations.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n10-6-1936 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-155 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n<\/a>Passive <\/b>Peace<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nPASSIVE peace is not supposed to do anything. It is
\nby the complete solid presence of peace alone that  all disturbance is pushed out to the surface or outside the consciousness.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n3-8-1936 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Passive Peace and Action<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIT is not the usual character of passive peace that it can only concentrate in inaction. It can be there and
\nconcentrate in or behind action also.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n15-5-1936 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/a>Quiet and Aggressive Action<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIT is this quiet and spontaneous action that is the characteristic divine action. The aggressive action is
\nonly, as you say, when there is resistance and struggle.
\nThis does not mean that the quiet force can’t be
\nintense. It can be more intense than the aggressive,
\nbut its intensity only increases the intensity of the peace.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n20-7-1936 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-156 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>Restlessness of Mind and Vital<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHE mind and vital are always more open to universal forces than the material. But they can be more
\nrestless than the material so long as they are not
\nsubjected to the peace from Above.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/a>Universality and Vital Disturbance<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHE movement of universality by itself cannot
\nprevent the vital from disturbing\u2014it is the complete
\nsurrender and the complete descent of peace into all
\nthe being down to the most material that can do it.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n30-7-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/a>The Fundamental Calm: Individual and Cosmic<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHE first is the ordinary fundamental calm of the
\nindividual Adhar\u2014the second is the fundamental
\nlimitless calm of the cosmic consciousness, a calm
\nwhich abides whether separated from all movements or supporting them. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis is the calm of the Atman, the Self above,
\nsilent, immutable and infinite.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-157 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>Need of Calling down Higher Power and Will
\n<\/b><\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nfor <\/b>Removing Vital Disturbances<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTHE calm from above came to you and established
\nyour connection with the Above, and if you hold
\nfirmly to it, you will be able to remain calm. But to
\nbe rid of these vital disturbances, you have to get down the Power and Will that is also there above\u2014
\nor at least so to be connected with it that it will act whenever you call upon it against the forces of the Ignorance. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n2-11-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/a>The Right Fundamental Consciousness\u2014Transformation<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n by Descent<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIT is the right fundamental consciousness that you
\nhave now got. The tamas and other movements of the lower universal nature are bound to try to come <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-158 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nin, but if one has the calm of the inner being
\nwhich makes them felt as something external to the
\nbeing and the light of the psychic which instantly
\nexposes and rejects them, then that is to have the
\ntrue consciousness which keeps one safe while the
\nmore positive transformation is preparing or taking
\nplace. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe transformation comes by the descent of
\nForce, Light, Knowledge, Ananda, etc. from above.
\nSo you are right in your feeling that you should open
\nwith a quiet aspiration or invocation for the descent
\nof the Light from above. Only it must be an aspiration in this calm and wideness, not disturbing it
\nin the least\u2014and you must be prepared for the result
\nbeing not immediate\u2014it may be rapid, but also it
\nmay take some time.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n25-10-1934 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Basis of Inner Calm<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWHAT you have written about your condition seems
\nto be correct as a whole. There is certainly a greater
\ncalm within and a freedom of the inner being which
\nwas not there once. It is this which gives you the <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-159 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nequality you feel there and the capacity to escape
\nfrom the more serious disturbances. When one has
\nthis basis of inner calm, the difficulties and imperfections of the surface can be dealt with without
\nupset, depressions, etc. The power to go among
\nothers, without any invasion is also due to the
\nsame cause. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs for the second question, there is no general rule,
\nbut your attitude is the right one for you\u2014for you
\nhave not the need of any particular development of
\ncapacity, having behind a sincere attitude of a more
\ngeneral and penetrating and pervasive character.
\nOthers who feel the need of a particular development
\nactually ask for it and get it.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n9-6-1936 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n<\/a>First Step in Self-mastery<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTo be aware of one’s central consciousness and to
\nknow the action of the forces is the first definite step
\ntowards self-mastery.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n30-5-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-160 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>Firmness of Central Consciousness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIF you can always keep the central consciousness
\nclear and firm through such attacks, that itself would be a great progress. These attacks always come until
\nthe equality is established in the vital.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n6-7-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/a>The Price of Siddhi in Yoga<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nYou must gather yourself within more firmly. If
\nyou disperse yourself constantly, go out of the inner
\ncircle, you will constantly move about in the pettinesses of the ordinary outer nature and under the
\ninfluences to which it is open. Learn to live within,
\nto act always from within, from a constant communion with the Mother. It may be difficult at first to
\ndo it always and completely, but it can be done if
\none sticks to it\u2014and it is at that price, by learning
\nto do that, that one can have the siddhi in the
\nYoga.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n5-6-1934 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-161 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>Living in the Inner Consciousness<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou must have somehow externalised yourself too
\nmuch. It is only by living in one’s inner consciousness and doing everything from there that the right
\npsychic condition can be kept. Otherwise it goes
\ninside and the external covers it up. It is not
\nlost, but hidden\u2014one must go inside again to
\nrecover it.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n8-11-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/a>Living in the True Inner Being<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nIT is the past habit of the vital that makes you repeatedly go out into the external part; you must
\npersist and establish the opposite habit of living in
\nyour inner being which is your true being and of
\nlooking at everything from there. It is from there
\nthat you get the true thought, the true vision and understanding of things and of your own self and
\nnature.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n3-4-1931 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-162 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n<\/a>Inner Poise and Outer Methods<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nYES, that is all right. Relying on outer methods
\nmainly never succeeds very well. It is only when
\nthere is the inner poise that the outer movement is
\nreally effective and then it comes of itself.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n27-1-1933 <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage-163<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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